County Awarded $3 Million Disease Prevention Grant

Today, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) was awarded a grant of over $3 million for prevention of chronic disease in San Diego. Today’s grant award has the potential to bring over $15 million to the region over the next 5 years. This is the second largest Community Transformation Grant awarded to a county government in the nation.

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The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Community Transformation Grants to support public health efforts to reduce chronic diseases, promote healthier lifestyles, reduce health disparities, and decrease health care costs.

Overall, HHS awarded approximately $103 million to states and communities, reaching more than 120 million Americans. The Community Transformation Grants will support the planning and implementation of state and community projects proven to reduce chronic diseases—such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

“This Community Transformation Grant will help the County focus on projects that will improve the community’s health and well being,” said Chairman Bill Horn, County Board of Supervisors. “The grant will assist us in reducing the three behaviors; lack of exercise, poor diet and tobacco use, which result in four top chronic diseases that cause over 50 percent of the deaths in San Diego.”

HHSA is one of 61 grantees awarded funding for implementation or capacity building programs focused on the improvement of the health and wellness of residents and long-term community prevention efforts.

“This grant is custom built for the County’s Live Well, San Diego! 10-year initiative to build better health in the region,” said Nick Macchione, HHSA Director. “This prestigious award is a compliment to our county government and community partner’s leadership and innovative strategy in helping improve the lives of San Diegans through healthy, safe, and thriving communities.”

County-funded projects will address tobacco free living, active living and healthy eating, and increased use of clinical prevention services.

“Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems in the country, they are also among the most preventable,” said Wilma Wooten, MD, MPH, County Public Health Officer. “This award will help us further optimize the essential services of public health.”

The grant will be implemented through a collaborative effort between a multi-sector leadership team, community coalitions, contractors, and County staff. Over 50% of funds will be contracted out to local government and non-government organizations.